Stella

Saturday came and went slower than I wanted. I usually would want the weekend to go by slowly but I couldn’t wait until Sunday. I was pretty nervous to go hang out with Alex alone, but Ray came over Sunday morning. She insisted on helping me get ready.
“There’s nothing to help get ready for, Ray.” I persisted but she continued going through my closet anyway.
“You’re going on your first date Clarke you have to look cute.”
“It’s not a date. We’re just friends going skating.” She pulled out a pair of short-shorts. “These. And yes it is a date. Friends don't flirt like you have been. Has he texted you back yet?”
“Yes, he’s been texting me all weekend. And no, it’s not a date.”
“All weekend!?” I nodded and she clapped her hands. “You tell me exactly how it goes afterwards, got it?” I nodded again, rolling my eyes.
“Get dressed and hurry. It’s almost one-thirty.”
I got changed in the outfit she picked out and slipped on my high-top vans.
“Okay, I’ll see you at school tomorrow, Have fun and be safe!” She winked at me before we turned different ways out of my driveway. I put my board down and pushed off into the direction of the park.

-

Within fifteen minutes I was rolling up to where we were supposed to meet.
Clarke- where are you?
Alex- look up
I looked up and saw him rolling up to me, a big smile on his face.
“Hey there Clarkey,”
“Did you just call me ‘Clarkey’? He smiled and nodded, coming to a stop. He reached his arm around and gave me an awkward side-hug.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all weekend!” He said excitedly. Is he flirting with me?
“Re-really?” Wow, that's all I could say?
“Of course! I love skating.” My heart sank a little bit, “And I wanted to hang out with you again.” He scratched his head again.
“Me too.” I said shyly.
“Well then, shall we?” He gestured to the lot in front of us. I nodded and we took off.

After about an hour of just messing around we both decided to go to get some ice cream down the street.
“So, besides skating, what else do you like to do?” He asked me.
“Nothing really, I like reading. I’m usually hanging out with Ray but I have a feeling she’ll be with Zack a lot more often now.” We both laughed.
“Well when she’s with him me and you can hang out.” I blushed and looked down.
“Are you blushing?” He asked moving in front of me and walking backwards.
“What? No,” He started smiling when he saw the crimson color of my cheeks.
“Yes you are, don’t lie to me!” I covered my face with my hands.
“Change the subject!” He laughed and turned back to walk beside me.
As we walked he kept bumping into me and I can’t help but wonder if he’s doing on purpose. He brushed his hand against mine once and I slightly moved it, so he could take it. He swung our hands back and forth and looked over at me
“Is this making you uncomfortable?”
“No I just-”
“Don’t have a lot of experience with guys?” I looked down at our hands then back up at him.
“Kinda.” He smiled and started walking closer to me.
“If you wanna stop we can I don’t-”
“No, It’s fine, really.” He smiled even wider.
We walked up to the window of the shop and we both ordered. He dropped my hand to grab his wallet and before I would say anything he paid for both.
“Hey! I was gonna pay for mine!”
“You think i’d let you pay?” He asked.
“I don’t see why not.” He snorted and shook his head.
“Never.” I blushed again.
We walked over to the picnic tables and chose one under a tree.
“So how did you guys start the band?” I asked, taking a sip of my peanut butter banana shake.
“Well Jack and I always wanted to start one, so when we met Rian we started looking for a bassist. We posted it on MySpace and that’s how we met Zack. We’ve been playing together ever since.”
“That’s so cool, you guys do sound really good together.” He smiled and started to move his hand towards mine again.
“So there’s gotta be something else you like besides reading and Ray.”
“Well, there is one thing but it’s kinda stupid.” I laughed.
“If it’s you it’s not stupid, what is it?” I could feel my ears warming up as he talked.
“I like to write.” His eyes lit up.
“Really? Me too! I write all of the bands music, what do you write?”
“Well, I love writing essays in school, and I love short stories but I actually recently started writing a book, but it’s not gonna go anywhere and I only have a few chapters-“
“Can I read it?” My eyes got wide.
“Read it? Nobody’s ever read my stuff before I don’t know,”
“Come on, it’s just me.” He looked at me with his chocolate eyes and I caught myself staring for just a second. He saw me and smiled, putting his hand on top of mine. “I wanna know more stuff about you.”
“Like what?”
“Everything. I don’t know I just feel like i wanna know you.” This time it was his face that turned red.
“Are you blushing?” I copied what he said earlier.
“Shut up.” He laughed at me.
We sat like that, for what seemed like a long time just talking, his hand laying on mine, his thumb occasionally running against my palm.
“I’m not making you uncomfortable am I?” He suddenly asked.
“No, stop asking that.” I smiled at him.
“Sorry, I just don’t know how you feel about- never mind.” He looked down shyly.
“About what?”
“Nothing just drink your shake before I do.” He looked back up at me with a small smile.
I can’t help but wonder; what if he does like me? I pulled out my phone with my free hand to text Ray
Clarke- I can’t believe I’m about to ask you this but, can you ask Zack if Alex has said anything about me?
“Who you texting?” Alex asked, trying to peek over.
“No one.” I quickly put my phone under my leg.
“It’s not another guy is it?” He said in a teasing way.
“You never know.” I joked back. His face fell slightly, “Alex, I’m joking.” I quickly said.
“Oh, sorry.” He lifted his hand to the back of his head. “So uh,” he trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“So, you wanna go ahead and head back?”
“Sure.” He replied.
We stood up from our seats and started walking towards the trash, as soon as I tossed the cup away he took my hand again causing my stomach to erupt in sudden butterflies.
“Your hands are small.” He lifted my hand up to look at it.
“Maybe you just have big hands?” I smiled at him.
“Maybe.” He brought our hands back down, then linked our fingers together. My heart started beating faster.
“Will you go on a date with me?” He asked suddenly and my heart stopped.
“A date?” He looked down at me.
“Yeah, like a real one. Or do you wanna count this as a date?” He asked.
“Yeah sure, this can be a date.” I don’t know how I’m getting words to come out right now. Ray was right, this is a date.
“Might as well be, I held your hand the whole time.” He laughed.
“I didn’t mind.” I told him as we walked up to my door. I saw my mom peek out the curtains as us for a second.
“So I’ll see you at school tomorrow right?”
“Yeah definitely, lunch maybe?” He nodded.
He pulled me into a hug, his arms around my neck and mine around his waist.
I’ve hugged a guy before, but that’s the extent of it. He rested his chin on my head and hugged me a little tighter. “I had a lot of fun today, Clarke.”
“Me too Lex.” He pulled back enough to look at my face.
“Can I ask you something?” I nodded. “Have you ever, uh. Have you ever been kissed before?” I blushed, looking down and shook my head no. He put a finger under my chin and tilted it up, we locked eyes and I caught my breath. “Can I?”
I slowly nodded. I can feel my heartbeat in my ears. He leaned in and I suddenly froze like a statue.
I felt his lips press against mine but I couldn’t move, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. He leaned back and chuckled.
“Hey, don’t be nervous.” He moved my face so I was looking at him again. “Just move your lips the same way I move mine, okay?” I nodded and swallowed.
He leaned in for a second time, but this time I parted my lips slightly before his touched. I moved my lips in sync with his until I felt him move one hand around and to the back of my head, pulling me closer.
Suddenly the door swung open, “Clarke I’m- oh.” We both jumped back, our faces on fire.
“Mom!” She smiled wide at me and then looked at Alex, then back at me and raised her eyebrows
“I see that I interrupted something.” She looked over at Alex again “I’m Theresa but you can just call me Mama Carey. All the kids do.” She stuck her hand out and he shakily shook it.
“I’m Alex.” She nodded and smiled again.
“I’m headed out for the night, I’m going to Eric’s. Your friend can stay until 12.” I nodded and she walked passed us, patting him on the back as she walked.
“Well, uh. Do you wanna come in?” I asked. He nodded and followed me inside.
“Your moms nice, I can’t believe she didn’t punch me.” I laughed and he still looked scared.
Ray- he says he thinks he likes you!!
Clarke- yeah I figured that out lol
Ray- what!? How!?
I ignored her message and sat by Alex on the couch.
“Wanna watch a movie?” I asked
“Sure.” I grabbed one and put it in before sitting back down.
“So, did you like it?” He asked.
“Like what?” I asked, even though I knew what he was talking about.
“Your first kiss, dork.” He put his arm around me like we did at Rian’s.
“Eh it was alright.” He have me a fake shocked look.
“It was amazing don’t lie to me.” I smiled and shook my head.
I felt his hand move to my face again, pulling me up towards his. Just as our lips were about to touch my phone started ringing.
“Who is that?”
“It’s Ray.” I laughed.
Clarke- hello?
Ray- why didn’t you answer my text!
Clarke- I’m kinda busy. Why’d you call?
Ray- because you didn’t answer my text! How was it? When did he leave? Did he walk you home? Did he try anything?
Clarke- Ray he’s sitting right next to me shut up.
Ray- oh my god he’s in your house!?
Alex- Hey Ray!
I laughed a him for yelling into the phone.
Ray- Alex! Kiss my friend!
Clarke- oh my god Ray.
Alex- I already did!
Ray- WHAT!? I’m coming over!
Suddenly the line went dead and Alex and I just laughed.
“I cannot believe you told her.”
“What was that something you two were gonna squeal and giggle about at a sleepover later?” He laughed. I pushed his shoulder. “I know what we can do before she gets here?” He suggested.
“She lives three houses down.”
“Better than nothing.” Suddenly I felt his soft lips on mine again. He moved them perfectly with me, shifting his weight on the couch so he was facing me.
“This is okay right?” He pulled back and rested his forehead on mine.
“Yeah, Lex.” He smiled.
“I like when you call me Lex.”
The sound of the door bursting open pulled us apart once again.
“Hey Clarke! And Alex!” Ray came bounding into the room all smiles. Zack followed shortly after.
“Hey man,” he said to Alex.
“How has your day been?” Ray wiggled her eyebrows at me.
“Considering it’s only six, pretty good.” I laughed.
“Can I talk to you upstairs?” She asks. I nodded and got up from the couch, following her upstairs.
“So,” she started when we sat down on my bed. “Are you finally going to admit that you like him?”
I sighed,” Yeah, and you were right about it being a date.” She started mock laughing at me.
“I told you! I can spot a date a mile away!”
“Yeah, yeah get your ‘I told you so’s out of here.” i rolled my eyes at her.
-
We walked back downstairs, Ray still smiling from our conversation.
“Hey can we have the rest of the guys over? Have a night in?” Alex asked me. As much as I wanted everyone to go home and have it be just us two, I agreed and he pulled out his phone. “Come sit by me,” He patted the spot by him.
“Let me get a drink, you want anything?” He nodded.
“I’ll come with you.” He got up and started walking towards the kitchen with me.
He took my hand as we entered and pulled me into a spot in the kitchen where you couldn’t see us.
“What are you doing?” I laughed at him. He brought his finger up to his lips and shushed me.
“I want more kisses.” He said sheepishly. My face turned red again as he started getting closer. He pecked my lips and pulled back again, smiling.
“If I’m too much let me know, okay?” He put his forehead on mine.
“No, it’s not that it’s just, it’s all really sudden.” I admitted.
“Sorry I just can’t help myself.” We both laughed.
“I don’t want you to.”
“So you do like me.” He said, more to himself than anything.
“What?”
“Jack said you liked me. He read our messages as stuff.” He scratched the back of his head.
“It’s okay, Ray did the same thing.” We smiled at each other.
He leaned in again, this time he kept his lips from touching mine, barely any space in between. “I don’t know what’s come over me.” He admitted.
“What do you mean?” He kissed me again.
“I don’t know, I just want to get close to you.” Another kiss.
“I know how you feel.” He move his hands so that they were on either side of my face and he pulled me into him, moving his lips at a more desperate pace. Is this was making out is? I start to question how good this actually is for him, before he pulls away, smiling at me.
“You sure you’ve never kissed anyone before?” He asked me. I laughed and shook my head, “Because you’re a natural.” I cocked my head to the side and raised an eyebrow.
“Is that a good thing?” He smiled and nodded yes, moving his hands to my waist this time. He pulled our bodies closer and-
“Clarke get me something!” I heard a yell from the living room. I shot back and ‘okay’ and quickly grabbed our drinks.
“Hey, come back here.” Alex said quietly. I moved over towards him and he quickly placed a kiss on my cheek before turning out of the room.
“Cover up you two.” Alex teased them as we walked back in. Zack was sitting in the chair and Ray was sitting on his lap.
“I could say the same for you.” She stuck her tongue out of her mouth.
I layed down on the couch and put my head on the couch pillow. Alex moved my legs and sat where they were laying across his lap.
“What movie is this?” Zack asked me.
“The Outsiders!” I said excitedly. Ray made a disgusted face.
“She watches this movie like twice a week.” She explained to them. Alex gave me a confused look then smiled.
“It’s a good damn movie!”
“Don’t even get me started on how many times she’s read the fucking book.” I blushed and looked down.
“It’s okay, It’s cute.” Alex rested his hand on my knee. I smiled at him and could hear Ray trying to whisper-cheer in her seat.
As soon as Jack and Rian got here we turned off the movie and they started playing Guitar Hero on my Playstation 2.
“Do you play this a lot?” Rian asked me.
“Yeah she’s fantastic at it!” Ray said for me.
“No you’re not!” Jack said, looking at me in disbelief. “I’m the best there ever was.”
“Nope, that’s one thing I take pride in Barakat. I’m the Guitar Hero Queen.”
“Ooooo, She’s challenging you Jack!” Zack yelled out.
“Wanna go, sunshine?” Jack questioned.
“Hey! That’s my nickname for her!” Alex said.
“You stole it from me shush.” Everyone laughed . I sat up enough to see the screen and grabbed a guitar controller.
“What song?” I asked him.
“You pick.”
“Okay, the hardest one on here. On hard mode.” He smiled at my suggestion.
“You’re on.”
The into to ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ started to play and everyone watched us as we both got through the first few chords no problem. I looked at the screen as my hand glided across the primary-colored keys on the guitar.
Everyone started singing along, suddenly Jack missed a chord and looked over at me, causing him to miss more.
“Fuck!” He yelled. We continued the song, me not missing a single beat.
Once it ended, and my score was obviously higher than Jack’s everyone clapped. I took a bow as best as I could sitting down.
“That was awesome.” Ray smiled.
“Ha, Jack got beat at guitar hero by a girl!” Zack said.
“Shut up and turn the movie back on.” Jack mumbled.
“Don’t feel bad Jack, at least you can play an actual guitar.” Everyone laughed at my words and I layed back down.
Alex started moving his hand up and down my leg before he leaned closer to my head. “Can I lay behind you?” He asked. I nodded and shuffled closer to the edge. He swung his legs up on the couch and made himself comfortable in the little space behind me.
“What’s this movie even about?” Jack loudly asked through the dark of the room.
“Just shush and watch.” I replied. He turned stuck his tongue out at me, noticing suddenly how me and Alex were laying and smiled wide.
“Hey look! I told you so!” He yelled towards Alex.
“Shut up!” Alex said back, making me laugh.
“It’s okay Jack, I called it too.” Ray whispered over.
“Hey, grab the blanket on the back of the couch,” I said as quietly as possible to Alex.
He grabbed the blanket folded up behind him and swung it out over our feet. He move it around the front of me and let his arm fall at my waist, pulling me closer. I don’t know how people can do this without their hearts beating out of their chests. I’ve only known this boy for two days and I already feel like this?
“Is this okay?” He whispered into my hair. I turned around so I was facing him and nodded. He moved his face closer, and I could feel his breath on me. I felt him kiss my nose while I closed my eyes, just enjoying laying there with him. “Comfy?” He asked.
“Mhmm.” I responded, suddenly getting brave and scooting so I could bury my face in his chest. I put my arm around him and eventually fell asleep to the sound of the movie and Alex’s breathing.

Notes

I honestly don't care if all of my facts are wrong lol. pls keep commenting it makes my heart happy thanks. also i understand it may seem like this story is going fast but it will all make sense eventually i promise lol. It's kind of like two stories in one?? ya